Maine Tennis Academy Employment

Thank you for expressing interest in Kennebec Camps The Maine Tennis Academy Jr Tennis Camp.

If we are lucky enough to work together you will join a team of men and women who have been influencing the growth and development of children's lives since 1907. Many of our staff return each summer, some for as many as 35 and 40 years. Needless to say it is an incredibly fun and engaging experience and becomes a focal point for the lives of the faculty as much as it is for the children who come to our various programs.

The following information outlines our priorities in selecting staff and is intended to help you determine whether Kennebec's Maine Tennis Academy offers the type of work experience in which you are interested and for which you are suited. Please give this material careful consideration. Camp is a very concentrated, structured, and demanding experience for staff. Our campers are with us for anywhere from two to eight weeks and our responsibility to them during this time is a twenty-four hour a day job! These children's parents expect and trust us to give complete dedication and attention to their son's or daughter's needs so as employers, Kennebec expects the same from each employee.

The most important aspect of being a counselor is the relationship you develop with the campers. The atmosphere you and your co-counselors create can often determine the kind of experience each camper has. We take great care in creating and organizing the daily activities, the evening programming, and the cabin assignments with this in mind and we, therefore, will work as hard with you to place you where you, too, will be most happy, comfortable, valued, and valuable.

We will be checking your references! We will ask about your ability to work with children, your experience in the area of your interest, your work habits, manner, personality, flexibility, creativity, and ability to work in a group as well as other factors we find important in creating a successful team for a great Kennebec summer.

Our goal, in every program, is to provide campers with the confidence to challenge themselves in their various adventures here and enjoy and feel successful in the very attempt. If this appeals to you please read through the following information, complete the Application Form and send it to us, and call with any questions you may have.

Over the years, Kennebec has provided a unique experience for children that often differs from the life style to which they are accustomed. Starting in 1907 campers ventured into the rustic Maine woods for eight weeks each summer to share experiences and adventures in the outdoors, build self esteem, make friends, and learn about themselves. Although Kennebec's specific activities have evolved, those same values are the core of our current programs. All our programs emphasize cooperation, teamwork, challenge, adventure and support.

HISTORY

In 1907 the first "class" of boys (Kennebec was an all boys camp until the late 1980's) gathered to spend a summer along the shores of Lake Salmon in Belgrade, Maine. Little could they know the tradition of life-inspiring memories they were originating. Since 1907 thousands of children have come together to explore and understand the natural environment, gain skills in outdoor living and get to know themselves; summers at Kennebec always mean growing as an individual. 1999 is our first season to offer our new program, Kennebec Jr. Tennis Camp, that incorporates quality tennis instruction with traditional camp living at our Maine Tennis Academy. We offer an experiential education style based on the kinship of fun and learning. Every summer since 1907, new campers arrive, participate in the camp's traditions, add their own special mark to our growing numbers, and enjoy a summer that lasts a lifetime.

PHILOSOPHY

We believe that kids learn more when having fun and feeling good about themselves; therefore, we provide our campers with the ingredients that ensure each has a great time, meets with personal success and heightens his or her self-esteem: Program, Staff, and Friendships. With traditional and innovative programs and quality and expert staff memorable summers are created and friendships grow within the Kennebec community.

Our Program Philosophy, which runs through each of Kennebec's various programs, is education amidst fun. Though our programs are diverse all are structured to help each camper discover the growth possible every day and to meet with success. Overnight campers become enriched through traveling & communicating with an international set of their peers, improving serves and back strokes, building camp fires, water-skiing or sailing for the first time, and experiencing the importance of team unity. Our greatest triumph is when campers go home even more enthusiastic about, playing, practicing and learning tennis skills than the day they arrived at camp.

Tennis is one of the few, if not last, sports to incorporate the unique quality of a code of conduct Players are expected to be gentlemen and ladies and follow ethical behavior and a standard of decorum rarely found today. Kennebec has operated on these qualities of good manners, kindness, concern for others, and sportsmanship since 1907 and enjoy continuing this tradition in our tennis programs today. Staff are key in setting this example.

As Kennebec Staff you are all charged with the responsibility of making our philosophy and mission statement come to life for each of our campers. From the Directors to each cabin counselor we all play invaluable roles on the same Kennebec Team working towards this same goal. Program directors do professionally all year round what they do at Kennebec during the summer. After being carefully screened selected staff are trained during a week long Staff Orientation Program. All waterfront staff are trained/licensed in First Aid, Life Saving, and Water Safety Instruction. Though safety always comes first at Kennebec you are encouraged to laugh with and enjoy each camper so that every summer is full of positive attitudes and the expectation for fun from the campers and us, the staff.

Kennebec attracts the most interesting and exciting youngsters and staff from around the globe. Such well-educated, talented, and exceptional girls and boys are thrilled to come together and find themselves amongst others of their kind. Deep and lasting friendships are forged between our terrific campers, with our dedicated staff, and with our enthusiastic and involved directors, not to mention the wonderful examples of camaraderie amongst our staff. Though campers gain skills, experiences, and success stories at Kennebec they often cherish most the friendships made while here. Each year our programs evolve, our staff mature, and our campers grow up; however, the friendships we all create at Kennebec last forever.

Kennebec is dedicated to creating the balance between high levels of education, skills development, and the pure joy of play that will inspire and create the desire for each camper to achieve his or her personal best, become ambassadors of tennis, social etiquette, kindness, and care, and enjoy the life altering journey.

MTA = Tennis + Camp
Campers' experiences is not limited to the game of tennis; they also reap the benefits of Kennebec's traditional camp living. Playing tennis amidst the beautiful trees and lakes of Belgrade, each camper is never far away from the camp experience: sleeping in rustic cabins, acquiring outdoor living skills, hiking, boating, swimming, and touring the beautiful country sides of Maine. Every two week overnight session includes the following components:

Daily Camp Activities
Campers participate in swimming, canoeing, water skiing, sailing, golf, archery, woodworking, basketball, arts and crafts, pottery, the climbing wall, and high and low ropes. Every session enjoys barbecues, socials, competitions, fun camp games and activities.

Trips
All campers leave camp for a variety of trips. Campers participate in at least one overnight and two day trips. Trips involve canoeing, hiking, mini-golf, LL Bean, ice cream, and big trips include white water rafting, whale watching, rock climbing, and a lobster feast. Our trip leaders all have experience in leading trips, have First Aid Certification, and demonstrate great responsibility. The Kennebec trip program has always been a memorable part of every summer.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Facility
Kennebec is nestled on a sloping piece of forested land at the southern edge of Salmon Lake in the Belgrade Lakes region of central Maine. Our rustic environment provides a "relaxing" atmosphere, yet we provide all necessary amenities. Rustic cabins sleep between six and ten, including two staff members per cabin, and each cabin has its own toilet and sink. Two separate shower houses are centrally located for all campers. Other facilities include the following:

Kennebec offers 2 and 4 week overnight sessions for boys and girls ages 9-17, from June - August. We also have tennis players coming in for daily session 3 to 5 days per week who participate in tennis instruction, tennis course play, and daily general activities. Additional programs are also on-going and include the activities listed above.

Staff are chosen based on character, stability, interest in working with kids, personality, professionalism, and ability in a specialty. No consideration is given to gender, race, or religion. Each summer staff includes a core of veteran staff, college students, teachers, and professionals from throughout the United States and abroad.

In addition to relating to each camper staff are hired to lead or assist in particular activities. With assistance from the administration each counselor is responsible for implementing a quality program in your area of expertise. Knowledge, patience, creativity, and enthusiasm are essential! You will spend the bulk of your day in your activity with a more flexible evening activity schedule. You will have some free time during the day and every other evening off.

All Staff have a week of orientation and set up before camp begins and work two days after camp to close down. The five - seven day intensive orientation details our philosophy, aims, and objectives. We emphasize our values and attitudes, our limitations, and what we hope to accomplish and how. This is a valuable and necessary time for all staff to bond, acclimate to the camp, and become members of the Kennebec team.

The camp provides your full income (Policy of No Gratuities From Campers). In addition to salary we provide board, lodging, and transportation assistance, which will be paid only and in full upon the successful completion of the entire contract period. You will be responsible for doing your own laundry and having clean clothes, including a uniform to wear daily. The camp will provide information as to where the local laundromats can be found.

Salaries range from $100.00 to $400.00 per week depending on experience, credentials, references, and the particular position. Pay Day is every other Saturday for all staff. MTA Overnight Counselors are off every other night from 9:00 PM until 1:00 AM and have 6 full days (24 hours) off during the summer.

Counselors must maintain a fine personal appearance throughout the season. Do not start a beard while at camp, keep hair neat and trimmed, do not wear any body piercing rings, earings, jewelry and tattoos must be covered. We are a non smoking, non drinking, non drug using camp for both campers and staff allke. A pre-camp Medical Examination is required for all hired staff.

Employment

Maine Tennis Academy

Staff Applicant Information

About the Camp

HISTORY

PHILOSOPHY

GENERAL INFORMATION